What to Do if You Get Sick, Test Positive, or Have Been Exposed to COVID-19

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The college is following guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health and CDC for isolating positive cases and quarantining close contacts. Students can return to classes, campus work, and campus activities for days 6-10 of their isolation if their symptoms are improving, they have been fever-free for 24 hours, and they are feeling well. They must wear a well-fitting and high-quality mask. Competing athletes will need to follow specific guidance from their trainers.

*Please note, we previously sent out notifications to classrooms, athletic teams, and other groups when there is a potential exposure. The college is now asking students and employees to do their own contact tracing to the best of their abilities. If you are aware that you are a close contact, follow the instructions below. Call Helpline if you need more guidance.

What to do if you test positive

Day 0 listed below refers to the first day of symptoms or date of the positive test if asymptomatic.

  • Day 0-5: Stay home. No in-person class/work/activities and no guests. If you live on campus, you will isolate in your dorm room/apartment, or you can make your own plans to isolate off campus.   
    • You have two options for getting meals.  

      1. You may wear a well-fitting mask (ideally, a KN95 or N95) and go the Anderson checkstand at any time Anderson is open.  

        • Bring your Student ID 
        • Tell the checker that you need to pick up a packaged sick meal. (Tell the checker if you have any specific dietary needs). 
        • The checker will swipe your ID for two meals.  
        • You will wait outside Anderson while a Dining Services employee grabs the food for you (there will be two-meals worth of food in the bag).  
        • You will bring your pre-packaged meals back to your room/apartment to eat.  
      2. OR, you can have a friend/floormate go to Anderson to get ‘grab and go’ food for you. (If they have been exposed to COVID, they should wear a well-fitting mask (ideally, a KN95 or N95)).  
        • Your friend/floormate will need to bring your student ID.
        • They will tell the checker that they are getting ‘grab and go’ for a friend who is sick.  
        • The checker will swipe your ID.  
        • A Dining Service employee will get your friend a set of ‘grab and go’ containers.  
        • Your friend can go in Anderson and select from any of the food options to fill up your containers.
        • They will then bring the food back to you in your room/apartment.
  • Day 6-10: Continue wearing a mask when out of your room/apartment. Do not have guests over. You may return to classes and campus work if your symptoms have improved, you are feeling well, and you have been fever-free for 24 hours.     
    • To get meals: 
      • You may wear a well-fitting mask (ideally, a KN95 or N95) and get ‘grab and go’ food from Anderson. 
      • Bring your student ID.  
      • Tell the checker that you need to get ‘grab and go’ food.  
      • The checker will swipe your ID.  
      • A Dining Service employee will get you a set of ‘grab and go’ containers.  
      • You can go in Anderson and select from any of the food options to fill up your containers.  
      • You will then bring the food back to eat in your room/apartment.  

What to do if you are a close contact

Day 0 refers to the last day you were exposed to a positive case.  

If you were exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 or have been told by a healthcare provider or public health authority that you were exposed, here are the steps that you should take, regardless of your vaccination status or if you have had a previous infection. 

    • Start masking immediately (when outside your room/apartment). You may attend classes and activities but need to mask for 10 days. Get tested on day five. Even if you get a negative test, continue wearing your mask through day 10.  

      • To get meals:

        • You may wear a well-fitting mask (ideally, a KN95 or N95) and get ‘grab and go’ food from Anderson. 
          • Bring your student ID.  
          • Tell the checker that you need to get ‘grab and go’ food.  
          • The checker will swipe your ID.  
          • A Dining Service employee will get you a set of ‘grab and go’ containers.  
          • You can go in Anderson and select from any of the food options to fill up your containers.  
          • You will then bring the food back to eat in your room/apartment.  

Who to contact if you have symptoms, are a close contact, or test positive

Students: Contact the COVID Helpline at 701.730.8304 or COVID19Helpline@cord.edu for specific details relating to next steps.

COVID-19 Symptoms

  • Fever (temperature>= 100.0 F) of chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Common Questions

What counts as a close contact?

The CDC defines close contact as:

  • You were within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more over the course of 24 hours
  • You provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19
  • You had direct physical contact with the person (hugged or kissed them)
  • You shared eating or drinking utensils
  • The infected person sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on you